34. Emotional support television
We all have that one television show or movie that we never tire of, regardless of the day of the week, the mood we are in or if the scripted jokes are even considered socially acceptable anymore. For instance, it’s been over 20 years since the last episode of Friends aired and it’s pretty safe to say its relevance in our culture isn’t going anywhere. So, what makes it a constant in our culture, when every episode is now just a re-run? The short answer is, it makes people feel good. You don’t see re-run episodes of Squid Game on free-to-air TV; it doesn’t provide much comfort. I understand not everyone watches TV shows or movies, some prefer YouTube videos of four-wheel driving trips, perhaps even a gardening show. Whatever it is the same principle prevails, the sense of comfort and satisfaction you get from it makes it completely rewatchable.
The Office is my lifeline show, I need it like I need water; in constant supply to keep my thirst quenched. Sitcoms are my favourite TV genre, so the quippy, slapstick writing of The Office and Seinfeld inspires me and feeds my creative needs. On a good day, I can put it on and know I’ll enjoy watching Michael Scott navigaet another stupid, barely related-to-the-office-operations dilemma. And, on the bad days, he’s one of the only people who can always cheer me up. Yes, I know Michael Scott is a fictional character, but I can’t help but feel fondly for him. Perhaps my strong connection to the show is due to me watching it exclusively while going through emotional turmoil and possibly causing a trauma bond. I accidentally did this to The Fault In Our Stars, opting to watch it specifically on nights when I want to cry. It's not a particularly healthy coping mechanism, but in my case, it works.
Passion for the types of media and entertainment we consume can be a source of connection between ourselves and others. Say you meet someone as delusional as you, believing you both have amateur medical knowledge and skill thanks to Grey’s Anatomy - look at that, you have someone to defend you when you volunteer after being asked “Is anyone on this flight a doctor?” (best of luck with that). On a lighter note, two people who constantly have Parks and Recreation playing in the background in their house can identify a similar sense of humour and common ground.
Typically, we seek a degree of escapism when choosing to rewatch something. We know exactly what to expect, sans the mystery of how it ends, understanding exactly how the film or show will make us feel. Knowing you’ll always get a laugh while watching The Hangover for the tenth time means having an antidote to conquer the bad days.
Personally, watching Grown Ups for the millionth time means escaping back to childhood, each iconic line evoking a visceral memory of repeating it ironically with my brothers in the 2010s. Playing any episode of Friends takes me to a dreamscape, imagining myself slotting perfectly into their idyllic yet realistic New York City blunders and admissions (The One With The Prom Video ALWAYS makes me cry).
We learn these places to escape to, like cheat codes to having to deal with the day’s problems or avoid our thoughts for some time. As a yapper, I recommend you speak to someone about your struggles as people are there to support you and make things easier. But until then, there’s no harm in watching Finding Nemo before you’re ready to share your thoughts with someone else.
